How many times have Barnstable residents ever watched a town council meeting? For many who have, they likely have seen an erosion of the quality of some who serve and actually say they represent all of us. Anyone who has also either followed or watched past councils will also testify that some councilors have rarely answered questions from their constituents and have even attempted to eliminate the public comment sector of council meetings altogether. How deplorable!

From my calculation, back around in the late 1990s, councils before then seemed to at least have allowed any resident the opportunity to come before them to either ask questions or voice his or her concerns about various subjects, whether it was a matter that involved the town or a personal one. Back then many even actually had answers or some kind of response.

It was about the year 2000 that former town manager John Klimm took the reins of the town and seemingly from that point forward every council since has displayed both an arrogant and in your face attitude. Of the other 14 towns on the Cape I have never seen even one governmental body with the kind of arrogance and ignorance that Barnstable residents face within the walls of our own town hall. Why is this?

Only a few short years back residents were allowed four minutes to bring any matters before the town council in the hope they might receive some kind of answer, one way or another. Since that time, the time frame was reduced to a mere three minutes and when more residents began to ask some more pressing questions, the council opted to slice the public comment time to a measly two minutes for each speaker; that is, of course, unless one of their pals wants to waltz in and give the council grand accolades on how great of a job they all do. They seem to have unlimited time.

I have begun a campaign to e-mail all of the councilors to petition them to restore any speaker to be allowed four minutes to speak on any matter they choose. If any Barnstable resident wants a few minutes of comedy in the coming weeks, tune in to the next couple council meetings on a Thursday night and let's see who on this current council has any integrity. Let's also see just who on this council really cares about we, the public and we, the people!

It is by far the damn least that this council can do for us. After all, it in fact we who pay the bills, and it is we who pay their salaries. And so too is it we who elected them all! With that said, the spotlight is on them all, especially on the council President Debra Dagwan.

The ball is in your court President. Good luck. Many eyes will be watching!